At times derivative, but overall a brilliantly realized film.

Rating: 9/10 (23 July 2003)

28 DAYS LATER is currently my favorite film of the year (this may not be saying much given the slate of dreck we've been force-fed so far, but I assure you it means I absolutely loved the film), and probably will be when 2004 rolls around.
Yes, there are elements of the film that are derivative. This cannot be avoided -- out of the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of genre films over the many years, elements from some are bound to be inspiring to a filmmaker. What matters is how those elements are used in the film, and how they are turned on their ears to become something fresh and interesting. 28 DAYS LATER does this in spades.
Danny Boyle, working with striking cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, creates a beautifully bleak and barren world, devoid of civilization and life (even the streets are empty -- not very realistic, but a strong symbolic image of the isolation we're meant to feel). The use of DV adds a powerful edge to the film, not for its documentary feel, but for the feel of the story and characters themselves. Boyle also surrounds himself with incredible talent, including the immeasurable Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris and composer John Murphy. Alex Garland's script is often strong and intense and his character moments meaningful, though his dialogue occasionally falls a bit flat.
Never boring or stale, the film saves its scares and thrills. The scares do not come often at all, so when they do, their intensity hits hard. It of course helps that the Infected are by far some of the most frightening "monsters" yet seen in the past few decades -- their almost inhuman speed and fury jumps off the screen when they're given their few moments to shine. In fact, the expanses of time where no obvious moments of danger occur are the most creepy -- the emptiness and quiet of London and surrounding areas is enough to unsettle, and that silence in itself is frightening as hell.
This is a striking piece of filmmaking that is bound to become a modern horror classic (though I would never classify it as horror). With great performances and technical craftsmanship, this is a film that does what so few thrillers or horror films do -- it tells a story about characters and asks tough questions about just what kind of world we live in.